Mattel was founded in 1945 by Harold Matson and Elliot Handler in a California garage, initially producing picture frames before pivoting into toy manufacturing and eventually becoming one of the world's largest toy companies.
The company generates approximately $5.4 billion in annual revenue and sells products across more than 150 countries, with Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, and American Girl among its most globally recognized brands.
Headquartered in El Segundo, California, Mattel trades on the Nasdaq under ticker MAT today.
About Mattel
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Toy Manufacturing & Entertainment |
| CEO | Ynon Kreiz |
| Website | mattel.com |
| Headquarters | El Segundo, CA, USA |
| Founded | 1945 |
| Status | Public (Nasdaq: MAT) |
Mattel Founders
Harold "Matt" Matson
Co-Founder; provided the "Mat" in Mattel; sold his share of the company to Elliot Handler early in its history due to health issues
Elliot Handler
Co-Founder; principal architect of Mattel's toy business; husband of Ruth Handler, who created the Barbie doll
Ruth Handler
Co-Founder (with Elliot); created the Barbie doll in 1959 and served as company president; the "el" in Mattel comes from Elliot Handler
Mattel History
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1945
Harold Matson and Elliot Handler found Mattel in a Southern California garage, producing picture frames before quickly pivoting to musical toys and gaining early traction in the US toy market.
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1959
Ruth Handler introduces the Barbie doll at the New York Toy Fair, creating a product that becomes the best-selling fashion doll in history and the foundation of Mattel's global identity.
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1968
Mattel launches Hot Wheels die-cast cars, which become one of the most successful toy lines ever created and eventually outsell any other toy vehicle brand worldwide.
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1997
Mattel acquires Tyco Toys for $755 million, adding Matchbox cars and TYCO RC to its portfolio, and reaches $4.8 billion in annual revenue to become the world's largest toy company.
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2023
The Barbie film directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margot Robbie grosses over $1.4 billion globally, sparking a Barbie brand revival that drives strong licensing revenue and lifts Mattel's stock to multi-year highs.
FAQs
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When did Mattel come out?
Mattel was founded in 1945 by Harold Matson and Elliot Handler in El Segundo, California. It went public in 1960. The Barbie doll launched in 1959, Hot Wheels in 1968, and the company has traded on Nasdaq under MAT for decades. -
Who made the Mattel logo?
Mattel's distinctive red logo with a white ribbon banner was developed in-house and refined over several decades. The current logo has been in consistent use since the 1990s and appears across all product packaging and marketing globally. -
Who owns Mattel?
Mattel is publicly traded on Nasdaq. Vanguard Group and BlackRock are its largest institutional shareholders. No single entity holds a controlling stake. The Handler founding family no longer holds a significant ownership position in the company. -
Is Mattel an American company?
Yes. Mattel is an American toy company founded in 1945 in El Segundo, California. It is headquartered in El Segundo and listed on Nasdaq. It manufactures toys globally but is incorporated in Delaware and US-headquartered.